Info: The Nokia Lumia 520 vs the Apple iPhone 5C

The Apple iPhone 5C is supposed to be Appleís mid level smart phone. The only problem is that it isnít really built like a mid level smart phone. And apart from that, another problem is its price. Still, for those that may feel the Apple iPhone 5C will do well in the mid level market, letís first compare it with a leading mid level smart phone and see how it does. Here I am going to compare it with the Nokia Lumia 520. Is the Apple iPhone 5C worth its price tag? Read on to find out...

Phone

Nokia Lumia 520

Apple iPhone 5C

Image

Operating System

Windows Phone 8

iOS 7

Processor

Dual Core, 1000 MHz, Krait

Dual Core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift

System Chip

Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8227

Apple A6

System Memory

512 MB RAM

1 GB RAM

Graphics Processor

Adreno 305

PowerVR SGX543MP3

Display

4.0Ē IPS LCD

4.0Ē IPS LCD

Screen Resolution

800 x 480 pixels

1,136 x 640 pixels

Pixel Density

235 ppi

326 ppi

Storage

8 GB Internal memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC up to 64 GB

16 / 32 GB Internal memory

Primary Camera

5 MP

8 MP

Flash

None

LED

Secondary Camera

None

1.2 MP

WiFi

WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n

WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz

Bluetooth

3.0

4.0

Battery

1,430 mAh

1,510 mAh

Weight

124 g

132 g

Dimensions

119.9 x 64 x 9.90 mm

124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97 mm

Announced

25th February 2013

10th September 2013

Size and weight

The Lumia 520 has the upper hand when it comes to size and weight. It measures 119.9 x 64 x 9.90 mm and weighs 124 g while the iPhone 5C measures 124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97 mm and weighs 132 g. The only problem I can find with the Lumia 520 is that it is thicker than the iPhone 5C. But then again, isnít that a problem you would face with any Nokia Lumia smart phone? Still, the Lumia 520 is more compact and lighter and has a much better build quality than the Ďplasticí iPhone 5C.

Thatís why this point will go to the Lumia 520.

(Nokia Lumia 520 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Zero)

Display

The iPhone 5C does have a better display than the Lumia 520. While both smart phones come with a 4.0Ē IPS LCD touch screen, the iPhone 5C has a much better pixel density at 326 ppi as compared to the 235 ppi on the Lumia 520. Even when you compare the maximum resolution between both smart phones, the Lumia 520 falls behind with a maximum resolution of 800 x 480 pixels as compared to the iPhone 5C that has a maximum resolution of 1,136 x 640 pixels. Iím surprised how Apple has maintained the same display quality on all its smart phones, I guess they want the touch experience to be the same among all users. And the iPhone 5C touch is indeed a Ďtouchí above any other mid-level smart phone.

This point goes to the iPhone 5C.

(Nokia Lumia 520 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - One)

Memory & Storage

In terms of memory, the iPhone 5C is a much faster smart phone. It comes with 1 GB of RAM which guarantees a high operating speed. On the other hand, the Lumia 520 comes with just 0.5 GB of RAM which is decent, but nothing when compared with the mighty iPhone 5C. It is a very rare occasion when I get to compliment Nokia as far as storage options is concerned. But Iím guessing they have understood the important of expandable storage and will slowly integrate it into the rest of their smart phones as well. That being said, the Lumia 520 comes with 8 GB of internal storage and expandable storage capabilities up to 64 GB while the iPhone 5C comes with just 16 or 32 GB of internal storage and no expandable storage options. I canít believe Iím saying this, but Nokia can finally win a point for its storage capabilities.

Still, the iPhone 5C is a much faster smart phone and therefore Iím going to call this point a draw.

(Nokia Lumia 520 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - One)

Camera

Nokia has been known for making smart phones with amazing cameras but for some reason, the Lumia 520 doesnít live it to the standard. Maybe because they wanted the smart phone to be cheap? Anyway, it comes with a 5 MP camera that can take decent pictures. Unfortunately it canít do too much when compared with the 8 MP camera on the iPhone 5C. There are just so many reasons why the iPhone 5C has a better camera and if thatís not enough, the iPhone 5C also has a front facing 1.2 MP camera whereas the Lumia 520 has no front facing camera.

There are many more reasons why the iPhone 5C has a better camera than the Lumia 520 but I donít think I need any more reasons to justify why this point is going to the iPhone 5C.

(Nokia Lumia 520 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Two)

OS & Performance

The Lumia 520 comes with the latest Microsoft operating system Windows Phone 8 while the iPhone 5C comes with the latest Apple operating system iOS 7. I wouldnít want to start discussing the differences between both operating systems here, letís just say both operating systems are just as good. In terms of performance again, the iPhone 5C is a better smart phone. It comes with the Apple A6 chip and a dual core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift processor as opposed to the Lumia 520 which comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8227 chip and dual core, 1000 MHz, Krait processor. In terms of graphics, the Lumia 520 has an Adreno 305 processor while the iPhone 5C has a PowerVR SGX543MP3 processor.

The iPhone 5C is clearly the better performing smart phone and therefore, it gets this point.

(Nokia Lumia 520 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Three)

Battery

The Lumia 520 comes with a 1,430 mAh battery while the iPhone 5C comes with a 1,507 mAh battery. But, if you think the iPhone 5C would have a longer battery life you would be wrong. The iPhone 5C has a standby time of 10.4 days while the Lumia 520 has a standby time of 15 days. In terms of talk-time, the Lumia 520 lasts for 14.80 hours while the iPhone 5C lasts for just 10 hours. If you had to choose between these smart phones based on battery life, there is no chance of anyone picking the iPhone 5C.

This points goes to the Lumia 520.

(Nokia Lumia 520 - Two / Apple iPhone 5C - Three)

Price

The 8 GB Lumia 520 costs $ 176.50 (free of contract) while the 16 GB iPhone 5C costs $ 549 (free of contract). Now that is a huge price difference isnít it? This is the major reason why the iPhone 5C isnít going to succeed as a mid level smart phone. And letís face it, the iPhone 5C isnít worth the additional $ 375 or so.

This point goes to the Lumia 520.

(Nokia Lumia 520 - Three / Apple iPhone 5C - Three)

Conclusion

Just as I expected, the Apple iPhone 5C isnít going to do too well in the mid level smart phone market. It has tied with the Nokia Lumia 520 at 3 points each and even if you remove the point Nokia won for its price, the score is just 3 points to 2 in favor of the Apple iPhone 5C. But the fact of the matter remains that there is nothing in the Apple iPhone 5C that can justify the $ 549 price tag. And considering the fact that you can get smart phones that are so much better for around $ 575 or so, I donít see the Apple iPhone 5C doing too well in any segment.